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Healthy Communities, Healthy Schools: The IAQ Tools for Schools Approach

Alisa SmithUSEPA, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air

Indoor Environments Division

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• What is IAQ Tools for Schools ?• Environmental risk reduction actions that

improve IAQ• A Framework for Sustainability• Partners are key• State leadership stories• What you can do

Overview

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IAQ Tools for Schools Program Goal:All schools in the US will have sustainable IAQ management practices and polices

Program Objectives• Empower schools to build and sustain IAQ management programs• Formalize vast stakeholder group into an interconnected, franchised

network– Leverage network to sustain and increase national results– Recruit and enroll new schools into network

• Provide technical assistance, tools and resources (i.e., Faculty & Mentors, Action Kit, Regional staff)

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IAQ Tools for Schools Program Portfolio

• Research—the science behind the guidance• Tools and Technical Assistance (The Action Kit)• Partners—local, state, regional, and national• Awards Program—recognizing success, surfacing best

practices• National Symposium—peer to peer learning• IAQ Tools for Schools Connector—24/7 communications

hub

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Quality HVACInspect HVAC systems regularlyEstablish a maintenance plan Change filters regularly and ensure condensate pans are draining Provide outdoor air ventilation according to ASHRAE Standard or local codeClean air supply diffusers, return registers, and outside air intakes Keep unit ventilators clear of books, papers, and other items

Control of Moisture/MoldConduct routine moisture inspections Establish mold prevention and remediation planMaintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 60% Address moisture problems promptly Dry wet areas within 24-48 hours

Strong Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Inspect and monitor for pestsEstablish an IPM planUse spot treatments and baits Communicate with occupants prior to pesticide useMark indoor and outdoor areas treated with pesticides

Effective Cleaning & MaintenanceConduct routine inspections of school environmentDevelop a preventative maintenance planTrain cleaning/maintenance staff on protocolsEnsure material safety data sheets (MSDS) are available to staffClean and remove dust with damp clothVacuum using high-efficiency filters

Smart Materials SelectionMaintain products inventoryDevelop low-emitting products purchasing and use policies Use only formaldehyde-free materials Use only low-toxicity and low-emitting paint Select products based on product rating systems Use least toxic cleaners possible (only those approved by the district)

Aggressive Source ControlConduct regular building walkthrough inspectionsTest for radon; mitigate if necessaryImplement a hazardous materials plan (use, label, storage and disposal)Implement Smoke-Free policiesEstablish an anti-idling school bus policyUse walk-off mats at building entrances Conduct pollutant-releasing activities when school is unoccupied

The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Six Technical Solutions

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The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Key Drivers

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The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management: Key Drivers

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Putting it all together for a robust, sustainable program

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IAQ Tools for Schools Network• NGO Partners

–Trusted stakeholders expand program reach and support schools and communities

• EPA Regions–Recruit and support hard-to-reach schools–Track outreach impacts

• States–Multi-agency collaborations supporting local interventions

• Communities and Schools– leaders and champions serve as mentors and provide peer to peer

education

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IAQ Tools for Schools Program Partners• American Association of School Administrators (AASA)• American Lung Association (ALA)• American Association of School Business Officials (ASBO)• Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)• National Education Association (NEA)• National Association of School Nurses (NASN)• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)• Environmental Law Institute (ELI)

• Other Federal Government Departments: HHS-CDC, DoED, DOE• U.S. Green Building Council – LEED for Schools (USGBC)• Collaborative for High Performance Schools• American Federation of Teachers

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• EPA Regional Offices: guidance and technical assistance, training, travel scholarship support, small grants (www.epa.gov/iaq/schools)

• States: policies and guidance, training and technical assistance, site visits

• Community: schools and districts, community coalitions, health care, local government infrastructure

IAQ Tools for Schools Network:Supporting local action

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• Department of Education and Department of Health– In collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Pollution Control

Agency, Fire Marshal, Building Codes and Standards, MN Association of Maintenance Supervisors

– Established criteria for implementing IAQ management in schools that includes a reporting requirement to the state

– Technical assistance, training certification, site assessments, web resources and model plans/policies and procedures

• Results: 1500 schools implementing IAQ management plans

State Leadership Stories:Minnesota School IAQ Program

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• Connecticut School Indoor Environment Resource Team– Training– Field services and direct assistance to districts– Holistic approach (IAQ, energy conservation, health

services)• Results: 780 schools (145 districts) with sustainable IAQ

management programs

State Leadership Stories: Connecticut

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• District Location: Hartford, CT• District Type: Urban District in Connecticut

(second highest poverty rate of any large U.S. city)

• Student Population: 24,000• Number of Facilities: 45• Facility Age Range: 0 – 120 years• Total Facility Square Footage: 5,003,644

Focus on Community: Hartford Public Schools

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HPS IAQ Challenges

• Identifying and resolving IAQ problems for 45+ buildings in a district where over 90% of students qualify for free/reduced price meals

• Working with teachers, administrators, and custodial staff with limited time to focus on environmental improvements

• Managing competition between educational programs and building repairs for limited resources

• Garnering principals’ buy-in and support

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HPS Action Strategy

• Enlist local support—internal and external resources– Health and Safety Teams at each school (nurses, facilities staff,

administrator)– University of Connecticut (facilitation, pre-school staff training)– CT Schools Indoor Environment Resource Team (developed and provided

consistent training to Health and Safety teams across school district)

– City Health Department Asthma Coalition• Focus on training and leveraging the IAQ Tools for Schools

framework– Trained staff pay closer attention to symptoms and facility

characteristics that may be related to IAQ– Tools for Schools provides structure to respond to

IAQ concerns

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HPS Accomplishments

• Implemented IAQ Tools for Schools in all targeted schools

• Supported IAQ trainings each year since 2001• School nurses trained on asthma management and

tracking of asthma in the district– Urgent care asthma visits declined

• School-based asthma care services coordinated with outside agencies

• Sustain administrator buy-in with results oriented program

• New culture aimed at “Safe, Clean, and Healthy Schools”

• 2005 Excellence Award winner

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• 2006 School Health Policies and Programs Study~51% of schools have an IAQ management program~35% of districts have an IAQ management program~20 states require or recommend IAQ management in

schools• Schools with an IAQ management program are more

likely to be taking important environmental risk reduction actions than schools without a program– Mold/moisture; IPM; chemical management

• The Tools for Schools Framework applies to other issues– MRSA, flu

National Snapshot of IAQ Management Practices in Schools

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Get Involved

• Reach out to your EPA Regional IAQ coordinator. Learn more at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools

• Join the IAQ Tools for Schools listserve– Jennifer Lemon (lemon.jennifer@epa.gov)– Alisa Smith (smith.alisa@epa.gov)

• Find resources in your state www.cdc.gov/asthma/contacts/default.htm